Spring construction



Feb. 23, 1932. w sT uss 1,846,981

SPRING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 28, 1929 Q INVENTOR 6 g my W/SZ/uss ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1932 PATENT OFFICE HENRY W. STRU SS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPRING CON STRUGTION Application filed January 28, 1929. Serial No. 335,719.

The present invention is concerned with spring construction primarily adapted for use in upholstering furniture, but capable of varied uses which will be herein apparent.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an upholstered construction which combines the qualities of durability with the improved qualities of comfort.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved spring construction which avoids the foundation of interlocking webbing and crossed cords as previously utilized.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spring construction in which the cords and webbing usually utilized are replaced by skeleton frames of flexible metallic strips whereby durability and the prevention of bunching of the springs are 2'1 provided for.

In accordance with the present invention, I utilize two skeleton frames or platforms of flexible metallic strips, one to be nailed to the lower sideof the chair seat frame andso con structed that the springs may be readily put in place and held there by clips, riveted or spot-welded to the'strips, or by extruded portions of the strips. The upper or floating platform may then be laid on top of the set of springs, the outer springs being then fastened by turning over the ends of the strips and secured by rivets or the like, the inner series of springs being suitably secured to the strips by clips, as will be herein illustrated. The construction of the skeleton frame is such that while the springs are held after assembly, positioned within the frame by nailing or the like, as will be clearly apparent from the following.

Numerous other objects and features of the spring members.

Referring more particularly tothe drawings, the seat frame is illustrated as at 10 in Figs. 1,2 and 7. It will beunderstood that the frame 10 may be a removable spring frame or may be a portion of the frameof the article with which the springs are adapted to be associated. Associated with the frame and preferably secured thereto by, fastening means disclosed as at 11 in Fig. 2, a base skeleton frame 12 is provided formed ,of crossed and interlaced flexible metallic strips 13, which extend longitudinally and transversely-across to the opposite sides of the frame 10. Mounted upon the skeleton frame 12, preferably at the juncture of the strips 13 thereof, there are provided the usual set SPIlIlgSll-l which are here shown as of the hour-glass configuration but which obviously may be of any desired type. These springs are arranged in longitudinal series 14a, 14b and 140. The springs of the series 14a, 14b are disposed in transverse alinement. The springs of the series 140 are located medially pzfband to one side of the spring series 14a,

The springs in the longitudinal series 14a, 14b constitute a major spring bank while the springs in the series constitute what might be known as a minor spring bank. The

springs in the series 14a, 146 are in closer formation respecting each other than Hwv are in respect to the springs 140. This arrangement fortifies the front edge of the article of furniture in which the spring construction is embodied. Such front edge requires to be fortified or reinforced in order to withstand the tendency toward distortion and possible destruction caused by a person sitting on such front edge. For securing the springs 14 against movement with respect to the base 12, any of the desired clips as shown in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, may be utilized, detail description of the structure and operation of which will be hereinafter found.

For joining the upper ends of the springs 14 and thus securing them in their proper relation but permitting them independent flexing movement, an independent skeleton frame 15 is provided, which includes the transversely and longitudinally extending flexible metallic strips 16 and 17, respectively. Each of the longitudinal strips 17 terminates at the outer convolution of the end spring of its series, each spring of the series being secured at both sides to the strips 17 through the provision of one or more of the clips shown. The end transverse strips 16a are connected with the transversely alined springs in the series 14a, 146, while the intermediate strips 16?) are not only connected to the remaining transversely alined springs,

but have'extensions 160 which are connected with the longitudinal strip of the spring series 140. The strips 16d of the last series 140 are the shortest of all of the strips and after being connected with the springs of said series extend to points of connection with the longitudinal strip 17 of the adjacent series 145.

' A distinction can be made between the various strips. Those which are connected with the spring series 14a, 14b of the major spring bank are to be identified as a network" of strips. This network is: not independent because it includes the extensions 160 which couple it with the other stripsof the minor bank 140. Nor are the strips of this bank independent because each of the strips 16d is coupled with the foregoing network. The arrangement is obviously such that a free and independent upper skeleton platform is provided which by virtue of the flexible material utilized, permits independent flexing of each spring and yet retains the springs in their proper spaced relation to prevent bunching and to provide the desired staple characteristics of the spring construction.

In that form of construction as illustrated in Figure 7, it will be seen that the transverse and longitudinal strips 16 and 17, each terminate at the outer edge of the last spring of the series with which they are associated and which are joined at the juncture thereof with the oppositely extending strips. For providing ready means for securing the strips in conjunction with the springs 14,

the clips shown in Figs. 3 to 6 are illustrated. In connection with Fig. 3, the strips as indicated at 18, are provided with a clip 19 riveted to the strip as at 20 and under which the last convolution of the spring, as indicated at 21, is secured. After positioning of the convolution 21 under the clip 19, it will be readily seen that permanent association may be accomplished by bending inwardly the terminal point of the clip 19.

In connection with Fig. 4, there is provided an improved means of securing the extremity of the strip 18 in conjunction with the convolution 21 of the spring. In this instance, the strip 18 is bent to surround the spring convolution and a rivet or'similar fastening means 22 is provided extending through spaced apertures in the strip 18, and bent to be permanently secured, thus preventing the removal of the convolution 21 from the extremity of the spring.

In connection with Fig. 5, it will be seen that for jointly securing two or more of the convolutions of the spring in association with the strips 18, double clip members 23 are provided, each end of which may be turned over to surround and embrace one of the convolutions 21, similar to the construction shown in Fig. 3.

In connection with Fig. 6, it will be seen that a novel fastening means may be provided by extruding a portion 24 from the strip 18, which portion may be subsequently bent to surround the convolution 21 of the spring for retaining the same in proper association with the strip.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that the present invention provides a novel spring construction which is of simple construction and operation, and which is readily designed to meet the demands of economic manufacture.

The invention provides a spring construc-' tion which combines the rigidity and permanency of a rigid construction with the individual elasticity of fabric connections be tween the springs. The invention also pro,- vides novel means for securing spring elements in conjunction with the strips.

It will be understood that numerous changes and modifications of the present invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope thereof as outlined in the present claim.

What is claimed is:

A spring construction comprising a fixed supporting base, a plurality of coil springs secured to the base in longitudinal series, the springs of two of the series being disposed in transverse alinement and the springs of another series being located medially of and to one side of said first mentioned springs, a floating top skeleton frame secured to the springs, comprising a plurality of longitudinal strips substantially coextensive with the res ective series, a plurality of transverse strlps connecting the springs of the transversely alined series; some of said transverse strips being extended to connect with the longitudinal strip of the medially arranged series, and other transverse strips-connecting the springs of the medially arranged series with the longitudinal strip of one of the longitudinal spring series.

HENRY W. STRUSS. 

